Corrugated paper and paperboard market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the German corrugated paper and paperboard market volume declined from 1 418 thousand tons to 1 234 thousand tons. During this phase, the industry remained closely tied to the overall economic climate, while e-commerce began boosting demand for corrugated packaging.

After peaking at 1 415 thousand tons in 2021, market volume eased to 1 377 thousand tons in 2022 and then dropped significantly to 1 052 thousand tons in 2024. This downturn coincided with intense cost pressure from raw materials, especially waste paper, and general economic headwinds. The EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR), finalized in 2024, was seen positively by the industry as it did not impose rigid reuse targets for transport packaging. Throughout the period, e-commerce growth and the shift toward sustainable packaging remained key demand drivers.

Production corrugated paper and paperboard in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of corrugated paper and paperboard has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 1 296 million US dollars, marking a 5.0% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 4%, with an average annual decline of 1.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 609 million US dollars, which saw a significant increase of 19.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 15.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Germany's production of corrugated paper and paperboard has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 1 565 thousand tonnes were produced, representing a 1.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, overall production increased by 2.9%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The peak was in 2018 with 1 670 thousand tonnes, which saw a notable increase of 9.8%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a drop of 4.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports corrugated paper and paperboard from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's exports of corrugated paper and paperboard have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 368.4 thousand tonnes, showing a significant rise of 12.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 27.3%, with an average annual increase of 8.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Austria, and Belgium were the core destinations for Germany's exports in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 28.3% of exports, Austria for 15.9%, and Belgium for 9.8%. Together, these three countries made up 54.0% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's exports of corrugated paper and paperboard in value terms reached 311.5 million US dollars in 2020, up by 4.9% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 16.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 314.8 million US dollars, which saw a substantial increase of 17.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 5.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Austria, and France were the main buyers of corrugated paper and paperboard from Germany in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 24.9% of exports, Austria for 16.3%, and France for 9.9%. Collectively, these three countries comprised 51.0% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports corrugated paper and paperboard to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's imports of corrugated paper and paperboard have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 37.1 thousand tonnes, reflecting a sharp decrease of 15.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports overall increased by 10.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.3%. The peak was in 2018 at 49.0 thousand tonnes, which saw a significant increase of 45.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—Austria, France, and the Netherlands—together accounted for 66.2% of Germany's total imports of corrugated paper and paperboard in volume terms.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Germany's imports of corrugated paper and paperboard in value terms have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 50.0 million US dollars, down by 3.7% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 9.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 61.8 million US dollars, which saw a notable increase of 35.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 16.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, the Netherlands, and Poland were the main sources for Germany's imports in value terms. Austria accounted for 31.2% of imports, the Netherlands for 25.8%, and Poland for 11.7%. Together, these three countries made up 68.7% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020